Training Retreat

I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve.

- Albert Schweitzer, Missionary

Following the light of the sun, we left the Old World.

- Christopher Columbus, Explorer

All real living is meeting.

- Martin Buber, Philosopher

Nothing is more revealing than movement.

- Martha Graham, Dancer

In American life, we think we are most free when we don't need anybody. Exactly what Alzheimer's represents is absolute dependency - That's what we all need to learn - how deeply we need one another.

- Stanley Hauerwas, Professor of Theological Ethics

If someone listens, or stretches out a hand, or whispers a kind word of encouragement, or attempts to understand a lonely person, extraordinary things begin to happen.

- Loretta Girzartis, Author

You can't stay in your corner of the forest waiting for others to come to you. You have to go to them sometimes.

- A. A. Milne, Author (Winnie the Pooh)

Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson, Essayist

They invented hugs to let people know you love them without saying anything.

- Bil Keane, Cartoonist

The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.

- William James, Philosopher

A good traveler is one who does not know where he is going to, and a perfect traveler does not know where he came from.

- Lin Yutang, Writer

Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat . . .We must find each other.

- Mother Theresa, Saint

Retreat Testimonials

The impact of the retreat is with me daily. At some moment each day some piece of what we talked about comes to the forefront and sits with me as I make decisions on how to move my organization further and do the best I can for my residents.

Rebekah Levit, Waltham, Massachusetts

This experience has given me the insight to implement the Memory Bridge program in my school with the knowledge and confidence necessary to guide students toward a meaningful journey of being 'with' their buddies.

Kathryn D’Antonio, Roswell, New Mexico

The look of joy on an elder's face as she or he believes they are finally in communication cannot be topped. Thank you so much.

Rev. Sue Ann Yarbrough, San Leandro, California

In this room of accomplished, dedicated, educated, experienced dementia practitioners, we were open to wonderment and continually amazed at the human spirit. How wonderful spending a week being cared for. The retreat center was the perfect place.